Juanita Browne: Conference shines a light on how all local authorities can help wildlife

No matter how good a County Biodiversity Action Plan may look, the most vital component has to be basic biodiversity training for staff on the ground

BEFORE: Yellow Flag Iris and Cow Parsley blanket this verge on a very straight stretch of road, offering a wildlife refuge amongst intensively farmed fields.

In 2019, Ireland declared a Biodiversity Emergency, acknowledging the dramatic species and habitat decline we are seeing in Ireland. With the imminent publication of the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan, local authorities will soon have an even more important role in addressing our biodiversity crisis. 

In managing planning, zoning, public parks, road verges and hedgerows, as well as funding community projects, there is huge potential for councils to make a real difference in creating public spaces that will be better for biodiversity as well as for local residents.